Supervisors approve sidewalk inspection and repair funding amid concerns over liens and cost

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance appropriating $1,278,384 to fund the Department of Public Works (DPW) sidewalk inspection and repair program and an accompanying ordinance to treat unsafe sidewalk conditions as a public nuisance and establish related permit and fee rules.

Supervisor Ellsburn said DPW revised its citation process to make it clearer to property owners what constitutes a violation and will include photos showing acceptable and unacceptable conditions. DPW indicated notices were corrected to require that work be initiated within 30 days rather than completed within 30 days. Dr. Abadi of DPW told the board that if property owners do not respond and the city undertakes repairs for safety reasons, the city invoices the owner and places a lien only after invoices go unpaid; DPW said it has worked with property owners who communicate and has accommodated requests for more time where appropriate.

Supervisors pressed the department and administration on protections for lower-income homeowners. Supervisor Ellsburn said a portion of the funding appropriated would seed a relief fund for eligible property owners; Dr. Abadi and other DPW staff confirmed eligibility criteria would apply. Supervisor Daley opposed proceeding at this time, arguing the measures would add roughly $1.7 million to next year’s general-fund commitments at a time when the city anticipated a significant budget shortfall; he said he preferred the issue be treated within the full budget process so tradeoffs could be clearly identified.

Supervisor Mercarini and others noted the board previously sent a resolution asking DPW to adjust practices after earlier citizen complaints; Mercarini and Ellsburn said the department had made changes. After discussion and roll call, the ordinances were passed on first reading and the related appropriation was approved.